How podcasting becomes a profitable marketing strategy—and when professional production actually makes sense for business owners.

In this April 2024 conversation on Podcast Editors Mastermind, I joined Bryan Entzminger (Top Tier Audio) and Jennifer Longworth (Bourbon Barrel Podcasting) to share the real story behind my first podcast editing client—and how that single “yes” turned into repeat work, referrals, and the early foundation of what later became Podcast Abundance.

While the conversation begins with client acquisition in the podcast editing world, it quickly becomes a strategic discussion for business owners using podcasting for business growth. I walk through how podcasting evolved from a personal project into a true marketing arm of my business—and why aligning revenue, systems, and marketing budgets matters far more than chasing visibility or hype.

From First Client to Sustainable Growth

My first client came through Upwork, but the platform wasn’t what made it work. The trust was built through shared language around personal finance and podcasting. That connection mattered more than experience, polish, or perfect systems.

The next clients came through relationships, not branding. I didn’t have a refined website, an email list, or airtight processes—but I showed up at the right conference, had real conversations, followed through, and built momentum through clarity and trust.

Starting Podcast Production Services: The First Client, the Systems, the Shift 

• (00:06:23) Why podcasting opened unexpected doors

• (00:07:55) Landing my first client and building trust quickly

• (00:11:59) Why in-person relationships drove real momentum

• (00:17:39) Simple follow-up systems I wish I’d built sooner

• (00:25:31) When a weekly podcast is not the right move

• (00:31:30) What a podcast manager actually does

• (00:39:50) Software costs, margins, and staying profitable

• (00:42:18) The shift from doing the work to owning the business

Podcasting as a Strategic Marketing Investment

I don’t view podcasting as a passion project or vanity channel. I see it as a long-term marketing asset—one that should live inside a company’s marketing budget, not on top of it.

The Small Business Administration often recommends established businesses invest roughly 7–10% of revenue in marketing. Professional podcast production should align with that reality. Businesses operating on thin margins may need to start lean or DIY. As revenue stabilizes, podcasting becomes far more powerful when supported by strategy, systems, and a professional team—freeing the host to focus on authority, visibility, and relationships.

About Jennifer Longworth:

Jennifer Longworth is the founder of Bourbon Barrel Podcasting, a Kentucky-based podcast production company supporting creators and business owners with thoughtful systems and sustainable workflows.
https://bourbonbarrelpodcasting.com/

About Bryan Entzminger:

Bryan Entzminger is the founder of Top Tier Audio, where he helps podcasters elevate their shows through high-quality editing and efficient production processes.
https://toptieraudio.com/

About the Podcast Editors Mastermind Show:

A peer-driven show created for podcast editors, by podcast editors—focused on building sustainable editing businesses and careers.
https://podcasteditorsmastermind.com/

About Virginia Elder:

Virginia Elder is the founder of Podcast Abundance, a full-service podcast production agency helping business owners grow visibility, authority, and leads through podcasting.
https://podcastabundance.com/
https://podcastingforfinancialprofessionals.com/

Originally aired on “Money You Should Ask” in 2023, this interview takes me back to what life was really like as I clawed my way out of $80K in debt after funding my mom’s divorce and deciding my kids deserved better than a childhood overshadowed by financial stress.   

Bob Wheeler got me to open up about the decisions I made to get out of debt, the boundaries necessary when a family member needs help, and how those experiences led me to launch my own business and podcast.  

Without the rock-bottom moment and palpable fear of how my financial mess might scar my children, and all the energy I committed to changing that narrative, I wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate how far I've come. This interview is a great reminder of the importance of the toughest moments, trusting the universe through “crazy” decisions, and how commitment to a clear goal can make a huge difference over time – not just for you and I, but for those around us and for generations to come. 

Setting Boundaries: The Key to Balancing Family, Business, and Financial Health 

(00:01:34) Life in 2014: supporting my mom’s divorce, new babies, and mounting debt. 

(00:03:01) The rock-bottom moment, taking action to call creditors, spending on essentials only, and where financial podcasts came to my rescue. 

(00:05:25) Breaking generational negative money habits by shifting my family’s conversations and actions around money.   

(00:09:38) Launching “Reaching Abundance” to address unique financial challenges for moms and women in the household money manager role  

(00:13:54) Pivoting from financial coaching to producing podcasts for financial advisors. 

(00:15:03) Trusting the universe’s guidance in taking podcasting clients, leading me to the podcast production business. 

(00:17:17) Finding fulfillment in a support role for creators rather than being a creator.   

(00:25:11) Evolving Boundaries with extended family, clients, and children, and teaching my kids about healthy relationships. 

(00:28:38) Wealth Wisdom: Invest a portion of every paycheck, no matter how small. 

Finding the Gap in the Market and Leaning into Your Strengths 

While I started out thinking I’d coach other moms through balancing the family budget and setting up their kids’ savings and investment accounts, the universe had its own special way of showing me that my passion was needed in the financial/media space, just not how I originally pictured it.  

As a fun fact, I had the pleasure of producing Bob Wheeler’s show, Money You Should Ask from 2021 through 2023 and we originally met at Fincon, 2021. This episode was recorded in-person at Fincon in 2023!  

About Bob Wheeler:  

Bob Wheeler is a CPA, CFO, and financial storyteller who blends money management with mindset work to help people build true financial freedom. As the creator of The Money Nerve and a certified CORE Energetics Practitioner, Bob guides individuals through the emotional patterns that shape their financial decisions. Known for his mix of humor, heart, and practical wisdom, he has led global workshops, authored bestselling resources, and supported thousands in rewriting their money story. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-wheeler-88029512/ 

https://themoneynerve.com/books/all-books/ 

https://themoneynerve.com/courses/ 

https://wheelerbicpa.com/ 

About Virginia Elder:  

She is the founder of Podcast Abundance, a full-service podcast production agency helping business owners grow their reach, authority, and leads through podcasting. As a strategist, producer, and speaker, she helps professionals host their own podcast with ease—turning their voice into a marketing engine that builds visibility and trust. 

https://podcastabundance.com/ 

https://podcastingforfinancialprofessionals.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiaelder/ 

Join me in the way-back machine as you listen to this interview from 2020 on the Citrus Love podcast, where Christiane Bégin and I discuss allowance systems, saving, and how to foster open family money conversations. At the time, I was providing financial coaching services for moms in which we focused on mindset, creating a sustainable budget, and teaching our kids about money as they learn. I learned so much about myself, my habits, and how to help kids avoid the hindering money mindsets that often plague their parents. Even 6+ years later, the money lessons in this episode are priceless!

Age-by-Age Guide: Teaching Financial Literacy to Your Kids 

Raising financially confident kids starts with simple, everyday lessons that grow with them. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s helping your children understand how money works, feel comfortable talking about it, and make smart choices as they grow. 

For toddlers (0–2): Model calm, consistent behavior around spending and saving. Practice patience together—it’s the foundation of financial discipline later on. 

For young kids (3–7): Make money visible and fun. Count coins, use piggy banks, and set short-term savings goals with visual trackers or jars. Replace “we can’t afford it” with “we’re saving for it.” 

For preteens (7–11): Connect effort with earnings. Use chore-based rewards or small allowances and let kids make their own spending choices, even if they make mistakes. Introduce simple banking and talk about interest or saving for big goals. 

For teens (11+): Encourage independence. Let them manage specific expenses, set up checking accounts, and learn how credit and budgeting work. Keep the conversation open—share your own experiences and lessons learned. 

From Scarcity to Abundance: Transforming Your Family's Money Mindset 

Money mindset—the quiet beliefs we hold about money—shapes not only our financial reality but also how our children will one day handle theirs. As moms, many of us unknowingly carry limiting beliefs that hold us back, like: 

• Thinking in scarcity, saying things like “We can’t afford that.” 

• Worrying about what others think of our financial choices. 

• Repeating attitudes we absorbed from our own parents or society. 

Our kids pick up on more than just our words—they sense our stress, our tone, and our habits around money. That’s why shifting from fear to confidence matters so much. I encourage moms to start noticing and challenging those old thoughts, reframing them into empowering language, and practicing gratitude for what’s going right. When we model abundance and calm around money, our kids learn to do the same—and that’s a legacy worth building. 

About Christiane Bégin: 

Christiane Bégin is the creator and host of Citrus Love: Keeping Motherhood Inspired, a podcast that encourages mothers to grow stronger—mentally, emotionally, and physically—while raising resilient kids. A Canadian mom of three and a master’s student in Counselling Psychology, she’s passionate about supporting women through the real, unspoken sides of motherhood. Christiane blends empathy, curiosity, and real-life experience to help mothers feel seen, supported, and inspired. 

https://www.citruslove.com/episode21-moneymindsetformoms/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiane-begin-69550119/ 

About Virginia Elder:  

Virginia is the founder of Podcast Abundance, a full-service podcast production agency helping business owners grow their reach, authority, and leads through podcasting. As a strategist, producer, and speaker, she helps professionals host their own podcast with ease—turning their voice into a marketing engine that builds visibility and trust. 

https://podcastabundance.com/ 

https://podcastingforfinancialprofessionals.com/ 

Enjoy this blast from the past, when Jennifer Loehding interviewed me on her show Starter Girlz in 2020. At the time, I was one year into entrepreneurship — coaching moms toward debt freedom while growing my podcast editing business. 

We talked about the mindset behind paying off $80K of debt in just 3 ½ years, finding confidence in your worth, and learning to juggle motherhood and entrepreneurship with peace instead of pressure. 

How Paying Off Debt Led Me to Launch a Podcasting Business I Love 

Listen for the early sparks that eventually became Podcast Abundance — and the lessons I still lean on to help business owners host their own podcast, increase their authority, and expand their reach. Here’s what else you can expect:  

• Transition from corporate work to financial coaching and podcast editing 

• Personal financial challenges, including significant debt and supporting family 

• Launching a podcast to empower moms and offering podcast editing services 

• Importance of self-care, managing time effectively, and setting boundaries with children 

• Mindset shifts related to money and financial decision-making 

• Overcoming stigma around money conversations and negotiating worth 

• The connection between financial coaching and personal growth 

• Helping clients define their own version of abundance beyond just financial wealth 

Leaving Corporate Life to Build a Purpose-Driven Business 

[00:03:00] My Turning Point: 
I opened up about the financial and emotional challenges of supporting my mom through divorce, starting a family, and facing a mountain of debt. 

“It wasn’t glamorous. It was spreadsheets, tears, and a lot of late-night talks—but that’s where abundance started.” 

[00:09:15] How We Paid Off $80K in Debt: 
I shared the step-by-step mindset and money strategies that made the difference: tracking every dollar, setting clear goals, and staying accountable together as a couple. 

[00:15:00] From Coaching to Podcasting: 
Reaching Abundance (now rebranded to Podcasting for Financial Professionals) began as a way to share my financial coaching story—but soon, I fell in love with the production side. That curiosity turned into podcast editing and, eventually, full podcast management services. 

[00:24:40] Balancing Business and Motherhood: 
Jennifer and I talked about routines, boundaries, and giving yourself permission to grow slowly. 

“My kids learned that when Mom’s mic light is on, they’re the protectors of the quiet zone.” 

[00:31:50] Shifting from Scarcity to Abundance: 
We discussed breaking money taboos, negotiating your worth, and the mindset that changes everything: believing you deserve both time freedom and financial freedom. 

Encouragement for Anyone Starting Over 

If you’re standing where I was back then—feeling stretched between motherhood, money, and momentum—know this: you don’t have to do it perfectly to make progress. 
Start where you are. Track what matters. Build something sustainable and meaningful. 

Podcasting became the bridge that helped me share my message, increase my authority, and eventually grow my business beyond what I imagined.

About Jennifer Loehding:  

She is a Success Architect and certified coach who helps entrepreneurs design sustainable success through mindset, leadership, and holistic well-being. With over 25 years of business experience and her signature Inner Block Detox framework, she empowers clients to build habits that support clarity, confidence, and lasting growth. 

https://jenniferloehding.com/ 

https://startergirlz.com/ 

About Virginia Elder:  

She is the founder of Podcast Abundance, a full-service podcast production agency helping business owners grow their reach, authority, and leads through podcasting. As a strategist, producer, and speaker, she helps professionals host their own podcast with ease—turning their voice into a marketing engine that builds visibility and trust. 

https://podcastabundance.com/ 

https://podcastingforfinancialprofessionals.com/ 

Welcome to Best of Virginia Elder — the podcast where you’ll hear my story unfold through real interviews on other people’s shows.

I’m Virginia Elder — podcast strategist, business owner, and mom of two — and this feed is your all-access pass to the conversations that shaped my journey.

You’ll hear me in early interviews from 2020 talking about paying off $80K of debt, raising little kids, and finding freedom through financial education. Fast forward a few years to 2023 through now, and you’ll catch episodes about building a business, leading a team, and discovering the joy of helping others use podcasting to grow their own businesses.

Today, I run Podcast Abundance, a full-service podcast production agency that helps business owners increase their authority, expand their reach, and generate leads through podcasting.

Whether you’re getting to know me before booking me as a speaker, considering podcast production support for your brand, or just curious about how this all evolved — this show brings it all together.

🎧 Hear the growth, the lessons, and the strategies that helped me turn a personal passion into a business that amplifies others.

👉 Learn more or connect with me at podcastabundance.com.

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